Spell Check Function Having a Character Replacement Spell Check Algorithm That Applies a Preference Based Upon Proximity of the Characters Replacing One Another, and Associated Handheld Electronic Device

Abstract

An improved spell check function and handheld electronic device provide a spell checking feature that includes a character replacement spell check algorithm that provides a preference based upon the proximity of the characters replacing one another.

1 . A method of enabling text input on a handheld electronic device that comprises an input apparatus and a memory having a plurality of language objects stored therein, the input apparatus comprising a plurality of input members, at least some of the input members each having a number of characters assigned thereto, the method comprising:
 detecting a number of actuations of a number of input members as a text entry comprising a plurality of characters;   determining that no language object corresponds with the text entry;   generating a number of modified text entries each comprising characters from the number of input members except having in place of a character of one of the number of input members a character of another input member;   identifying a first language object that corresponds with a first modified text entry wherein the one of the number of input members and the another input member are disposed within a predetermined proximity of one another;   identifying a second language object that corresponds with a second modified text entry wherein the one of the number of input members and the another input member are not disposed within the predetermined proximity of one another;   applying a preference to the first language object on the basis that the one of the number of input members and the another input member of the first modified text entry were disposed within the predetermined proximity of one another;   outputting as proposed spell-check interpretations of the text entry the first and second language objects in an order determined at least in part by the preference.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the memory further has a plurality of frequency objects stored therein, each frequency object being associated with a language object and having a frequency value representative of the relative frequency of the language object in a language, and further comprising applying as the preference a first multiplication factor by which the frequency value of the frequency object associated with the first language object is multiplied. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising multiplying the second language object by a second multiplication factor of a lesser magnitude than the first multiplication factor. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising employing as the predetermined proximity the one of the number of input members and the another input member being disposed adjacent one another. 
   
   
       5 . A handheld electronic device comprising:
 a processor apparatus comprising a processor and a memory having a plurality of language objects stored therein;   an input apparatus comprising a plurality of input members, at least some of the input members each having a number of characters assigned thereto, the input apparatus being structured to provide input to the processor apparatus;   an output apparatus structured to receive output signals from the processor apparatus;   the memory having stored therein a number of routines having instructions which, when executed on the processor, cause the handheld electronic device to perform operations comprising:   detecting a number of actuations of a number of input members as a text entry comprising a plurality of characters;   determining that no language object corresponds with the text entry;   generating a number of modified text entries each comprising characters from the number of input members except having in place of a character of one of the number of input members a character of another input member;   identifying a first language object that corresponds with a first modified text entry wherein the one of the number of input members and the another input member are disposed within a predetermined proximity of one another;   identifying a second language object that corresponds with a second modified text entry wherein the one of the number of input members and the another input member are not disposed within the predetermined proximity of one another;   applying a preference to the first language object on the basis that the one of the number of input members and the another input member of the first modified text entry were disposed within the predetermined proximity of one another;   outputting as proposed spell-check interpretations of the text entry the first and second language objects in an order determined at least in part by the preference.   
   
   
       6 . The handheld electronic device of  claim 5  wherein the memory further has a plurality of frequency objects stored therein, each frequency object being associated with a language object and having a frequency value representative of the relative frequency of the language object in a language, and wherein the operation further comprise applying as the preference a first multiplication factor by which the frequency value of the frequency object associated with the first language object is multiplied. 
   
   
       7 . The handheld electronic device of  claim 6  wherein the operations further comprise multiplying the second language object by a second multiplication factor of a lesser magnitude than the first multiplication factor. 
   
   
       8 . The handheld electronic device of  claim 5  wherein the operations further comprise employing as the predetermined proximity the one of the number of input members and the another input member being disposed adjacent one another.